I would honestly have to say that my life outside of school is what contributed most to my academic success. Sports, hobbies, clubs, jobs, and family are what truly drove me to finding my niche and my passion. As I mentioned earlier in my profile, I volunteered for two years on a Challenger Baseball team and worked with children with special needs. This is perhaps one of the most significant experiences that really impacted me and forced me from my comfort zone. Being involved with this team is what cemented my love and hopes for working with children in the future. It brought out a side of me that never truly reached the light. My knack for communicating, connecting, befriending them and gaining their trust was able to shine and made me realize that this is what made me happy.This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. This further helped me to succeed not only in my life outside of school but also in my academics for it developed certain skills that benefited me in classes that I took like Child Care, Adult and Child Development and Teaching Children and Adults. Along with this, I was also a YMCA camp counselor for children ages 2-5. This experience was definitely an interesting one... Each day brought forth a new adventure. I was bitten, spit on, hit, and every other imaginable thing. This job was a definite wake up call for me if I wanted to work with children in the next phase of my life. It gave me a feeling of power, responsibility, control, independence and confidence, something that I have struggled with. Becoming a camp counselor has made me realize that I want to become an elementary school teacher, whereas before, I was interested in early childhood education. I felt as though I wanted to work with children who were a little older and more developed, mentally. It helped me to focus on a more specific form of teaching. Both my job as a counselor and volunteering for the special needs baseball team have allowed me explore my passion for working with children and in turn, this has helped guided me on my path.
From the day I was born, my family had always been the most significant influence in my life. The supported me in everything that did, they challenged, comforted and stood by me. Whether it was late night talks, advice with friends or pep-talks before a game or race, my family was there. When it came to my academic success, they had just as much of an impact. Up until my junior year of high school, my parents would often quiz me on what I had to study for a test. I realize now, how lucky I am for something like that because not many others have parents that would help out their children the way they helped me. They would remind me not to procrastinate, and offer encouragement when it was most needed. Growing up with my family, in a town sheltered form reality, I was definitely molly coddled, and now that I have entered college, it is a huge adjustment. I am on my own, just like everyone else. Over the years however, my parents have taught me how to trust myself, how to stay focused and how to truly work towards something. Without these influences in my life outside of school, I would not be the same person I am today. Success in my academic as well as my social life has given me the confidence I need to propel me forth on my journey.
From the day I was born, my family had always been the most significant influence in my life. The supported me in everything that did, they challenged, comforted and stood by me. Whether it was late night talks, advice with friends or pep-talks before a game or race, my family was there. When it came to my academic success, they had just as much of an impact. Up until my junior year of high school, my parents would often quiz me on what I had to study for a test. I realize now, how lucky I am for something like that because not many others have parents that would help out their children the way they helped me. They would remind me not to procrastinate, and offer encouragement when it was most needed. Growing up with my family, in a town sheltered form reality, I was definitely molly coddled, and now that I have entered college, it is a huge adjustment. I am on my own, just like everyone else. Over the years however, my parents have taught me how to trust myself, how to stay focused and how to truly work towards something. Without these influences in my life outside of school, I would not be the same person I am today. Success in my academic as well as my social life has given me the confidence I need to propel me forth on my journey.